6 research outputs found
Registration and Segmentation of Multimodality Images for Post Processing of Skeleton in Preclinical Oncology Studies
Advancements in medical imaging techniques provide biomedical researchers with quality anatomical and functional information inside preclinical subjects in the fields of cancer, osteopathic, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative research. The throughput of the preclinical imaging studies is a critical factor which determines the pace of small animal medical research. The time involved in manual analysis of large amount of imaging data prior to data interpretation by the researcher, limits the number of studies in a time frame.
In the proposed solution, an automated image segmentation method was used to segment individual vertebrae in mice. Individual vertebrae of MOBY atlas were manually segmented and registered to the CT data. The PET activity for L1-L5 vertebrae was measured by applying the CT registered atlas vertebrae ROI. The algorithm was tested on three datasets from a PET/CT bone metastasis study using 18F-NaF radiotracer.
The algorithm was found to reduce the analysis time threefold with a potential to further reduce the automated analysis time by use of computer system with better specification to run the algorithm. The manual analysis value can vary each time the analysis is performed and is dependent on the individual performing the analysis. Also the error percent was recorded and showed an increasing trend as the analysis moves down the spine from skull to caudal vertebrae. This method can be applied to segment the rest of the bone in the CT data and act as the starting point for the registration of the soft tissues
The New Sociology of Childhood: Animal Representations in Leslie Marmon Silkoâs Garden in the Dunes, Amazonâs Oh My Dog and Netflixâs Mughizh: A Cross-Cultural Analysis
The theory of ânew sociology of childhoodâ and âuniversalism in cross-cultural psychologyâ highlights that children experience different childhood based on their cultural and social contexts. Children are social actors responsible for taking situations into action. Research considers children as neglected bodies in the field of children and childhood. This research paper compares Native American and Indian childrenâs competence as social actors, the definition of, experiences, and feelings towards animals. The objective is to show that children and animals are closely connected and that childrenâs childhood is based on their experiences with animals. In the childrenâs novel, Garden in Dunes (1999), Leslie Marmon Silko narrates the story of Indigo accompanied by Linnaeus (a monkey) and Rainbow (a parrot) which shapes the world around her. Oh My Dog (2022) and Mugzhil (2021), broadcasted on Amazon Prime and Netflix respectively, are stories based on young children who love and care for their pet dogs. Findings suggest that childrenâs emotions and approach towards animals are the same in both cultures but their experiences vary from one place to another
Female Body as the âOtherâ: Rituals and Biotechnical approach using Perumal Muruganâs One Part Woman and Matrubhoomi: A Nation Without Women
The article attempts to show how womenâs identities are restricted to the female body, and its procreative function and also highlights the dangerous rituals such as female infanticide. With a focus on the societal demands placed on the female body, this study aims to focus on how much society intrudes into a person's private life. The article also offers a thorough examination using the novel One Part Woman (2018) and the movie Matrubhoomi: A Nation Without Women (2003) of how the objectification of women has entered our culture and become embedded in our way of thinking, causing us to view the female body as an inanimate object that must adhere to predefined gender stereotypes. It investigates how infertility is linked with the curse and performance of rituals takes place. Infertility is no longer viewed as a problem owing to advances in biotechnology, which have been particularly focused on the reproductive area. However, cultural customs and beliefs disregard the medical approach, while many harsh rituals are conducted in the hope of causing fertility. The research paper focuses on how cultural behaviours and rituals prevent women from using a medical anthropology perspective. The study piece illustrates the sinister rituals that are practised and how women are objectified by using One Part Woman (2018) and Matrubhoomi: A Nation Without Women (2003)
Enhancing Mobility and Exploration in Young Children with Motor Delays
PURPOSE: Young children with severe motor, cognitive, and communication deficits are often dismissed as either too young or too physically involved to use the common power mobility options such as power wheelchair, ride-on-toys for lack of external support necessary to ensure safety and effective access to motion initiators (joystick or switch). Given that self-initiated locomotion is critical in the development of you childrenâs perceptual and social skills, the Play & Mobility Device affords an opportunity for them to safely explore power mobility while providing sufficient external support to optimize a childâs safety, posture and access to motion initiators. PROCEDURES: The Play & Mobility Device was designed and built following medical device design procedure, which takes customerâs requirements (sponsorâs in our case) as inputs, develops the design and then the device using engineering know-how and skills, and finally validates the performance of the device through test runs by the customer. Safety, power mobility, maneuverability and control components constitute this device. Small size and maneuverability of the device, allows its transportation and storage without any special requirement. OUTCOME: A child can drive and control the device through the joystick or switch as interface. Parent or attendant of the child can set the speed of the device and override childâs control as safe. Because of the use of FDA licensed, crush tested car seat with 5-point harness system, the childâs posture remains secured. Use of a universal arm to hold the joystick or switch ensures any childâs convenient access to these motion initiators. IMPACT: Building the Play & Mobility Device utilized the involved studentsâ electromechanical and biomedical design know-how. The process got them through the regulatorâs manufacturing guidelines, licensing and patenting procedures. Engineering discipline enriched its footprints with the contribution of a performing device to the real field of pediatric physiotherapy
Automated analysis of pen-on-paper spirals for tremor detection, quantification, and differentiation
Objective: To develop an automated algorithm to detect, quantify, and differentiate between tremor using pen-on-paper spirals. Methods: Patients with essential tremor (n = 25), dystonic tremor (n = 25), Parkinsonâs disease (n = 25), and healthy volunteers (HV, n = 25) drew free-hand spirals. The algorithm derived the mean deviation (MD) and tremor variability from scanned images. MD and tremor variability were compared with 1) the Bain and Findley scale, 2) the FahnâTolosaâMarin tremor rating scale (FTMâTRS), and 3) the peak power and total power of the accelerometer spectra. Inter and intra loop widths were computed to differentiate between the tremor. Results: MD was higher in the tremor group (48.9â±â26.3) than in HV (26.4â±â5.3; p < 0.001). The cut-off value of 30.3 had 80.9% sensitivity and 76.0% specificity for the detection of the tremor [area under the curve: 0.83; 95% confidence index (CI): 0.75, 0.91, p < 0.001]. MD correlated with the Bain and Findley ratings (rho = 0.491, p = 0 < 0.001), FTMâTRS part B (rho = 0.260, p = 0.032) and accelerometric measures of postural tremor (total power, rho = 0.366, p < 0.001; peak power, rho = 0.402, p < 0.001). Minimum Detectable Change was 19.9%. Inter loop width distinguished Parkinsonâs disease spirals from dystonic tremor (p < 0.001, 95% CI: 54.6, 211.1), essential tremor (p = 0.003, 95% CI: 28.5, 184.9), or HV (p = 0.036, 95% CI: -160.4, -3.9). Conclusion: The automated analysis of pen-on-paper spirals generated robust variables to quantify the tremor and putative variables to distinguish them from each other. Significance: This technique maybe useful for epidemiological surveys and follow-up studies on tremor